Roy became Britain's most expensive signing in July 1993 when Manchester United paid Nottingham Forest £3.75million. Sir Alex Ferguson's general on-the-field has repaid the fee many times over. There have been disappointments along the way, notably missing almost the entire 1997-98 season with a knee ligament injury and the 1999 Champions' League Final victory due to suspension.

His value was amply displayed as the strict wage structure at Old Trafford was broken when Roy appeared on the verge of leaving. The PFA Footballer of the Year and Football Writers' Player of the Year in 2000 retained the necessary mean streak to maintain his reputation as a fiercely committed opponent. Added to outstanding ability, Roy's leadership has influenced those around him throughout his career.

On the international scene, Roy became a key figure in the Republic of Ireland's rise up the world rankings. However, amid sensational headlines, his 50-plus cap career abruptly came to a temporary halt when he was sent home from the 2002 World Cup finals.

Roy's contract at Manchester United was cancelled by mutual consent in November 2005.

He joined Celtic in January 2006 with a contract to June 2007 but announced his retirement in June 2006.

Club history

Team

Joined

Left

Loan / Trialist

Cobh Ramblers

01 Jul 1989

12 Jun 1990

Nottingham Forest

12 Jun 1990

22 Jul 1993

Manchester United

22 Jul 1993

18 Nov 2005

Celtic

01 Jan 2006

12 Jun 2006

Club stats

Season

Team

Competition

Apps

Subs

Goals

Y

R

1991-92

Nottingham Forest

League Cup

1

1992-93

Nottingham Forest

League Cup

1

1992-93

Nottingham Forest

Premier League

40

6

7

1993-94

Manchester United

FA Charity Shield

1

1993-94

Manchester United

FA Cup

6

1

1993-94

Manchester United

League Cup

6

1

1993-94

Manchester United

Premier League

34

3

5

6

1993-94

Manchester United

UEFA Champions League

3

2

1994-95

Manchester United

FA Cup

6

1

1994-95

Manchester United

League Cup

1

1994-95

Manchester United

Premier League

23

2

2

8

1994-95

Manchester United

UEFA Champions League

4

1

1995-96

Manchester United

FA Cup

7

1995-96

Manchester United

League Cup

1

1995-96

Manchester United

Premier League

29

6

7

2

1995-96

Manchester United

UEFA Cup

2

1996-97

Manchester United

FA Charity Shield

1

1

1

1996-97

Manchester United

FA Cup

3

1

1996-97

Manchester United

League Cup

2

1996-97

Manchester United

Premier League

21

2

6

1

1996-97

Manchester United

UEFA Champions League

6

1

1997-98

Manchester United

FA Charity Shield

1

1997-98

Manchester United

Premier League

9

2

3

1997-98

Manchester United

UEFA Champions League

1

1998-99

Manchester United

FA Charity Shield

1

1998-99

Manchester United

FA Cup

7

3

1

1998-99

Manchester United

Premier League

33

2

2

8

1998-99

Manchester United

UEFA Champions League

12

3

3

1999-00

Manchester United

FIFA Club World Championship

2

1

1999-00

Manchester United

Intercontinental Cup

1

1

1999-00

Manchester United

Premier League

28

1

5

7

1

1999-00

Manchester United

UEFA Champions League

12

6

1999-00

Manchester United

UEFA Super Cup

1

2000-01

Manchester United

FA Charity Shield

1

1

2000-01

Manchester United

FA Cup

2

1

2000-01

Manchester United

Premier League

28

2

2

1

2000-01

Manchester United

UEFA Champions League

13

1

1

2001-02

Manchester United

FA Charity Shield

1

2001-02

Manchester United

FA Cup

2

2001-02

Manchester United

Premier League

28

3

4

1

2001-02

Manchester United

UEFA Champions League

11

1

1

2

2002-03

Manchester United

FA Cup

3

1

2002-03

Manchester United

League Cup

2

2002-03

Manchester United

Premier League

19

2

4

1

2002-03

Manchester United

UEFA Champions League

6

2

2003-04

Manchester United

FA Community Shield

1

2003-04

Manchester United

FA Cup

4

1

1

2003-04

Manchester United

Premier League

25

3

3

2

2003-04

Manchester United

UEFA Champions League

4

1

2004-05

Manchester United

FA Community Shield

1

2004-05

Manchester United

FA Cup

4

1

1

2004-05

Manchester United

League Cup

1

1

2004-05

Manchester United

Premier League

28

3

1

9

2004-05

Manchester United

UEFA Champions League

6

1

2005-06

Manchester United

Premier League

4

1

1

2005-06

Manchester United

UEFA Champions League

1

1

Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.